Golf ball with rfid system

ABSTRACT

A golf ball has a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing ID information therein, the RFID circuit formed of conductive ink; and an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna connected to the RFID circuit. The antenna may be formed of conductive ink or paste. The RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed on the surface of the golf ball. The golf ball may further include a core layer, a cover layer disposed on the outside of the core layer, and optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer. The core or intermediate layer has a groove on the surface thereof, and the RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed within the groove.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to Provisional Patent Application No.61/592,220, filed on Jan. 30, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf ball with a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) system.

Generally, a RFID tag includes an IC chip made of silicon and an antennamade of metal. Although recently the size of the RFID tag has beendecreased considerably, it is not a size which is small enough to beunnoticeable because it has an antenna several centimeters long on asilicon chip 0.4 mm square.

In addition, a problem concerning heat cannot be neglected. This is nota problem concerning a temperature in use on an actual playing field,but a thermal problem in heating process which is necessary forproduction processes of a variety of related products. In currentsemiconductors, raw materials do not have sufficient heat resistance.Development of semiconductor manufacturing technology using quite newmaterials is necessary.

The size of the antenna is also an important problem. With an RFID taguses electromagnetic waves for reading and writing information, theprinciple is different from at the age of Marconi, who discovered radio.Even if a variety of new physical principles have been found, nothinghas changed in the domain of the radio frequency. That is, an antennacorresponding to a wavelength of electromagnetic waves is necessary asbefore, and even if a silicon portion is formed in a 0.4 mm square, itmeans that the antenna size has not been decreased at all.

Finally, a problem of cost is a burden in manufacturing of the RFID tag.In addition to a problem peculiar to semiconductors that unit price willnot drop until they are manufactured in large lots of, for example,several hundred million, the RFID tag has an inherent problem of how theRFID tag should be mounted. Currently, there exists no machine forautomatically mounting the RFID tag to products produced in a massquantity of several tens of thousands at a time. In most cases, there isno way but mounting the RFID tag by hand. In addition, a serial numbermust be written onto each product, and therefore an additional writingproduction line is also needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided agolf ball including an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein,the RFID circuit being formed of conductive ink; and an antenna forcommunicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna beingconnected to the RFID circuit.

Using conductive ink having excellent heat resistance in formation ofthe RFID circuit instead of silicon that is conventionally used enablesthe RFID circuit to be formed as a part of a structure of the golf ballin the manufacturing process of the golf ball. Additionally, theformation of the RFID using conductive ink prevents the RFID circuitfrom being damaged or separated even when the golf ball is hit, therebypreventing transmission efficiency of signal energy from dropping.Furthermore, use of the conductive ink enables formation of an RFIDcircuit having a small thickness, and thereby the sphericalness andsymmetry of the golf ball can be maintained. By formation of the RFIDcircuit using conductive ink, freedom in designing or forming the RFIDcircuit in the structure or manufacturing process of the golf ball canbe greatly improved.

The antenna may also be formed of conductive ink. As a result, not onlythe freedom in design and formation of the RFID circuit, but also thefreedom in design and formation of the entire RFID system, including theantenna, can be improved.

The antenna may be formed on a surface of the golf ball. When scanningthe golf ball with an RFID reader, arrangement of the antenna on thesurface of the golf ball enables the RFID reader to communicate with theRFID circuit on the golf ball, and thereby communication distance isincreased.

The RFID circuit may also be formed on the surface of the golf ball.After a cover layer of the golf ball is formed, formation of the antennaand the RFID circuit on the surface thereof protects the RFID circuitand the antenna from an influence of heat applied when forming theintermediate layer or the cover layer of the golf ball.

The golf ball may further include a core layer having a groove on asurface of the core layer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink beingwithin the groove; a cover layer disposed on an outside of the corelayer; and optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the corelayer and the cover layer. By settling the conductive ink within thegroove in the surface of the core layer, adhesion between the core layerand the cover layer for covering the core layer or the intermediatelayer freely provided is improved to suppress separation of theselayers.

The antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of thecore layer. As a result, separation between the core layer and the coverlayer or the intermediate layer freely provided can be prevented.Furthermore, it is also permissible to provide a first groove and asecond groove in the surface of the core layer and then form the RFIDcircuit and the antenna with conductive ink within the first and secondgrooves, respectively. As a result, not only can separation of the RFIDcircuit and the antenna be suppressed but also in manufacturing of thegolf ball, both the RFID circuit and the antenna can be formed on thesurface of the core layer at the same time, achieving an efficientmanufacturing process.

Alternatively, the golf ball may further include a core layer; anintermediate layer disposed on an outside of the core layer, theintermediate layer having a groove on a surface of the intermediatelayer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink being within the groove; and acover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediate layer. Bysettling the conductive ink within the groove on the surface of theintermediate layer, adhesion between the intermediate layer and thecover layer which covers the intermediate layer is improved to suppressseparation of these layers.

The antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of theintermediate layer. As a result, separation between the intermediatelayer and the cover layer can be prevented. Furthermore, it is alsopermissible to provide a first groove and a second groove in the surfaceof the intermediate layer and then form the RFID circuit and the antennawith conductive ink within the first and second grooves, respectively.As a result, not only can separation of the RFID circuit and the antennabe suppressed, but also in manufacturing of the golf ball, both the RFIDcircuit and the antenna can be formed on the surface of the intermediatelayer at the same time, achieving an efficient manufacturing process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda golf ball including an RFID circuit for storing ID informationtherein; and an antenna for communicating by using radio frequencysignals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit and beingformed of conductive ink on a surface of the golf ball.

The formation of the antenna on the surface of the golf ball withconductive ink enables the sphericalness and the symmetry of the golfball to be maintained. Furthermore, the formation of the antenna on thesurface of the golf ball protects the RFID circuit and the antenna fromeffects of heat applied when forming the intermediate layer or the coverlayer of the golf ball. When scanning the golf ball with the RFIDreader, arrangement of the antenna on the surface of the golf ballenables the RFID reader to communicate with the RFID circuit on the golfball, thereby leading to an increase in communication distance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda golf ball including: an RFID circuit for storing ID informationtherein; an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals,the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit; a core layer having agroove on a surface of the core layer, the antenna being formed ofconductive paste within the groove; a cover layer disposed on an outsideof the core layer; optionally, an intermediate layer disposed betweenthe core layer and the cover layer.

When the antenna is formed on the surface of the core layer, there is aproblem that upon injection molding to form the cover layer for coveringthe core layer or the freely designed intermediate layer, the antennamay be deformed or separated due to a condition of high temperature andhigh pressure. If the antenna is formed thick with metallic paste towithstand such high temperature and high pressure, adhesion between thecore layer and the cover layer or the freely designed intermediate layeris worsened, thereby causing separation between layers in the golf ball.Furthermore, if the antenna is formed thick, the performance of the golfball may be adversely affected; for example, the symmetry of the golfball may be deteriorated. Thus, a groove is formed in the surface of thecore layer and then, conductive paste is poured into the groove so as toform an antenna. In this case, even if the thickness of the antenna isreduced, deformation or separation of the antenna can be prevented uponinjection molding. In addition, durability of the antenna against animpact from the golf ball can be secured sufficiently. Furthermore,because the antenna is formed in the groove, the surface of the corelayer can be ground without damaging the antenna and thus, adhesionbetween the core layer and the cover layer or the freely designedintermediate layer can be secured sufficiently.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda golf ball including: an RFID circuit for storing ID informationtherein; an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals,the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit; a core layer; anintermediate layer disposed on an outside of the core layer, theintermediate layer having a groove on a surface of the intermediatelayer, the antenna being formed of conductive paste within the groove;and a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediate layer.

Even if the thickness of the antenna is reduced as a result of formingthe antenna by forming the groove in the surface of the intermediatelayer and pouring conductive paste into the groove, deformation andseparation of the antenna can be prevented upon injection molding of thecover layer. Additionally, durability of the antenna against an impactfrom the golf ball can be secured sufficiently. Furthermore, because theantenna is formed in the groove, the surface of the intermediate layercan be ground without damaging the antenna and thus, adhesion betweenthe intermediate layer and the cover layer can be secured sufficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing schematically the surface of a golf ballaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the golf ball having an RFID systemaccording to the present invention will be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a golf ball 10 according to the present embodimentincludes an RFID circuit 12 in which ID information is stored, anantenna 14 configured to exchange radio frequency signals, and aconnection line 16 configured to electrically connect the RFID circuitand the antenna. Although a plurality of dimples is formed on thesurface of the golf ball 10, representation of the dimples is omitted inFIG. 1 to give priority to understanding of the present invention. FIG.1 is not drawn to scale to facilitate understanding of the presentinvention.

According to the present invention, all the RFID circuit 12, the antenna14, and the connection line 16 are formed on the surface of the golfball 10. The antennas 14 are formed at six places on the golf ball. As aresult, communication distance to an RFID reader (not shown) can besubstantially equalized in all directions of the golf ball 10. Inaddition, influence on the symmetry of the golf ball 10 can be reduced.The number of antennas 14 is not limited to that in this figure, but theantenna may be formed at one place, preferably, at least two places. Theantennas are more preferably formed at 6 places, 12 places, or 20places. The number of the RFID circuit 12 is not limited to one, asshown in FIG. 1. The RFID circuit may be formed at one or more places,for example, 6 places, 12 places, or 20 places.

In the present invention, the antenna 14 has double rings as shown inFIG. 1 and these two rings are connected to each other through a part.As a result, communication sensitivity with respect to the RFID reader(not shown) can be maintained excellent. Furthermore, the shape of theantenna is not limited to this one, but may be of a geometric shape suchas a single ring or three or more rings connected to each other througha part, or may be of a shape of a graphic mark such as conventionallyattached symbol, number, character, logo, or symbol.

In the present invention, although the RFID circuit 12 is located insideof an antenna as shown in FIG. 1, it is not limited to this location butmay be located outside of the shape of the antenna or located withoutaccompanying any antenna. Although as shown in FIG. 1, the RFID circuit12 and each antenna 14 are connected through a linear connection line16, the connection method is not limited to this example, and theconfiguration of the connection line 16 may be curved.

In the present invention, all of the RFID circuit 12, the antenna 14 andthe connection line 16 are formed of conductive ink. The conductive inkis not limited to any particular one, but preferably, the conductive inkis prepared as a metallic particle paste such as silver nanoparticlepaste. Then, for example, by ink jet print technology, a fine wiringpattern such as an integrated circuit is formed with conductive ink soas to form the RFID circuit 12. Although the antenna 14 and theconnection pattern 16 are not of a fine pattern like the RFID circuit 12and may be formed according to another printing method, they can beformed by ink jet printing simultaneously to attain a high efficiency inmanufacturing process.

Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the RFID circuit, theantenna 14, and the connection line 16 are arranged on the surface ofthe golf ball 10, the present invention is not limited to this example.The present invention may be carried out in variations, modificationsand equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed in the claims.

For example, according to a second embodiment, the golf ball includes acore layer having a groove in its surface, a cover layer which coversthe core layer, and an intermediate layer disposed between the corelayer and the cover layer. The RFID circuit may be formed of conductiveink within the groove of the core layer. The groove of the core layer isnot limited to any particular shape as long as it has a shape suitablefor accommodating the RFID circuit and may be quadrangular such assquare or rectangular or of other shape. Furthermore, the number of thecore layers is not limited to any particular one as long as the groovehas a depth sufficient for accommodating the RFID circuit. The RFIDcircuit may be formed of conductive ink within the groove in the surfaceof the golf ball using an ink jet printer like the surface of the golfball.

In the present invention, the antenna may be formed of conductive inkwithin the groove in the core layer. The groove for the antenna is notlimited to any particular one as long as it has a shape suitable foraccommodating the antenna, and may be formed of a plurality of ringssuch as a single ring or double rings or in other shapes. The grooves ofthe same number of antennas may be provided. The groove for the antennais not limited to any particular one as long as it has a depthsufficient for accommodating the antenna. The formation of the antennamay be achieved by pouring conductive paste into the groove as well asby printing with an ink jet printer using conductive ink.

According to a third embodiment, the golf ball includes a core layer, anintermediate layer which covers the core layer and has a groove on itssurface and a cover layer which covers the intermediate layer, and theRFID circuit may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of theintermediate layer. The groove of the intermediate layer is not limitedto any particular one as long as it has a shape suitable foraccommodating the RFID circuit, and may be formed in a predeterminedshape like the groove of the core layer. Furthermore, the groove of theintermediate layer is not limited to any particular one as long as ithas a depth sufficient for accommodating the RFID circuit.

In the present embodiment, the antenna may be formed of conductive inkwithin the groove of the intermediate layer. The groove for the antennais not limited to any particular one as long as it has a shape suitablefor accommodating the antenna, and it may be formed in a predeterminedshape like the groove of the core layer. The grooves of the same numberof antennas may be provided. The groove for the antenna is not limitedto any particular one as long as it has a depth sufficient foraccommodating the antenna. The formation of the antenna may be achievedby pouring conductive paste into the groove as well as by printing withan ink jet printer using conductive ink.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf ball comprising: an RFID circuit forstoring ID information therein, the RFID circuit being formed ofconductive ink; and an antenna for communicating by using radiofrequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit. 2.The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is formed ofconductive ink.
 3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein theantenna is formed on a surface of the golf ball.
 4. The golf ballaccording to claim 3, wherein the RFID circuit is formed on the surfaceof the golf ball.
 5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein thegolf ball further comprises: a core layer having a groove on a surfaceof the core layer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink being within thegroove; a cover layer disposed on an outside of the core layer; andoptionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer andthe cover layer.
 6. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the golfball comprises: a core layer having a groove on a surface of the corelayer, the antenna of conductive ink being within the groove; a coverlayer disposed on an outside of the core layer; and optionally, anintermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer.7. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises:a core layer; an intermediate layer disposed on an outside of the corelayer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface of theintermediate layer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink being within thegroove; and a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediatelayer.
 8. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the golf ballcomprises: a core layer; an intermediate layer disposed on an outside ofthe core layer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface ofthe intermediate layer, the antenna of conductive ink being within thegroove; and a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediatelayer.
 9. A golf ball comprising: an RFID circuit for storing IDinformation therein; and an antenna for communicating by using radiofrequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit andbeing formed of conductive ink on a surface of the golf ball.
 10. A golfball comprising: an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein; anantenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antennabeing connected to the RFID circuit; a core layer having a groove on asurface of the core layer, the antenna being formed of conductive pastewithin the groove; a cover layer disposed on an outside of the corelayer; optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layerand the cover layer.
 11. A golf ball comprising: an RFID circuit forstoring ID information therein; an antenna for communicating by usingradio frequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFIDcircuit; a core layer; an intermediate layer disposed on an outside ofthe core layer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface ofthe intermediate layer, the antenna being formed of conductive pastewithin the groove; and a cover layer disposed on an outside of theintermediate layer.